Film review: Shrek Forever After, forever more stories with grumpy ogres and talking donkeys

Whatever happens after the “… and they all lived happily after” fairytale-finale? Is this eternal happiness what a usually negative and rejected character would wish for? Well, our grumpy, green friend Shrek has no such desire. Settling down was never the dream of the much feared boogieman, who used to be every child’s nightmare!

Corina Dumitrescu

So, our beloved cynical friend has become a softie and every day is the dull copy of the previous one, repeating a happiness of a family life that the ogre never really wished for. He is no longer feared and is regarded by humans who would usually run away in horror at his sight, as a mere museum-worthy character. Shrek loves his wife and his three scary children, yet silently longs for his bachelor years and would do anything to have one day back from those times – hey, even cartoon characters go through midlife crises!

Mischievous deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin is the right villain at the right time and pacts with Shrek, offering him a much-desired day of solitude, at the cost of any day in his life so far. Shrek thus awakens from his short-lived revelry in a world where Rumpelstiltskin is king, and Fiona, whom he has never rescued, has become some sort of amazon and princess for the banished ogres, hunted by the red-haired villain and his witch minions. In the end, as in every self-respected fairytale, it all comes down to a comedic battle between good and evil. And, since we are dealing with a fairytale, although with a twist, it is quite needless to say who will eventually win…

Shrek Forever After is an excellent cinema theather pastime for a torrid summer day. As in the case of all the previous films from the Shrek series, the green hero maintains his cynical humour, with the bonus of an overweight and overspoiled Puss in Boots and considerably crazier Donkey. So, take a seat, sit back and enjoy a glass of cooling soda and a full-to-the-brim bag of popcorn! Don’t go expecting a cinematic masterpiece, but a relaxing and refreshing comedy, which, after putting your 3D glasses on, you will savor with the joy of a ten-year-old!

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast (voices): Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews

Now playing in Bucharest: Movieplex Cinema Plaza, The Light Cinema, Hollywood Multiplex, Cityplex, Cinema City Sun Plaza, Samsung IMAX, Cinema City Cotroceni

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